West Midlands firms interested in overseas expansion are being invited to a series of events to promote trade with China, Malaysia and Scandinavia.

Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, is leading a group of 20 senior Malaysian business people and government officials who are visiting the UK between March 5 to 7.

The UK is a leading investor in the Malaysian manufacturing and services sectors.

British investment in the country currently stands at £3 billion.

As part of their visit, a free seminar on business opportunities in Malaysia is taking place on March 6 at Birmingham's ICC.

During the afternoon, delegates will also have the opportunity for one to one discussions with the Minister and other members of the delegation.

From March 13 to 18, the region's companies will also have the opportunity to travel to the province of Shandong in China to develop trade links.

Organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce the trip will include the opportunity to visit the sixth Shandong UK Trade Conference which provides leads for British companies to do business with the province.

UK Trade and Investment will provide eligible companies up to 50 per cent of their costs.

On February 14, the Midlands World Trade Forum and UK Trade & Investment will be holding a networking seminar and workshop called Doing Business in Scandinavia at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Commercial officers based in the British Embassies in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm will provide up-to-date information on business opportunities in all three markets as well as how the Embassy can help research a market on a company's behalf.

Two companies already exporting to Scandinavia will explain the pitfalls and opportunities they encountered on their road to success.